25 August 2005

Those charities that use the Internet to maximise the level of help that they can offer are being recognised and rewarded for the great work that they do.

The AOL Innovation in the Community Awards, run in conjunction with Citizens Online, look to celebrate those forward-thinking charities that use the Internet in an innovative way.

Award winners will be given £2,000 and a year's free broadband to help them continue to use the web to help others.

John Fisher, chief executive of Citizens Online, said: "The level of innovation in the award applications never fails to amaze us.

"The Internet is clearly very beneficial for charities and community groups and this year's winners have realised its potential in some extremely creative ways.

"They have looked beyond the obvious to create valuable projects that have clear benefits for their community, this year enhanced by the increased availability of broadband across the UK."

One of the winners is the African and Caribbean Voices Association in East London, which plans to launch a webcam diary project charting senior citizens' experience of technology, encouraging them to engage with the Internet and use it to tell their own stories.

Other winners include the 55+ Positive Lifestyle, the Alzheimer's Society, the Drake Music Project and the Somerset Youth Volunteering Network.

© Adfero Ltd

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